Phone Comparisons: ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe vs Lenovo Moto Z Force

Do we have a good one for you today – the new ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe takes on the new Lenovo Moto Z Force. Both devices use an all-metal construction, but look extremely different in their design. The Deluxe looks a little flashier while the Z Force takes on a more conservative look. The devices do share many of the same internal parts or specs, but the overall feel of the devices are different. One thing can be stated very clearly – these are well-built devices and certainly earn the title of flagship. These two devices do have a few things in common that we will take a look at now, and then later we will look at each device to try to determine a winner of this specification comparison.

For starters, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe and the Moto Z Force share almost identical physical dimensions and weight. The displays are almost the same size – 5.7-inch on the Deluxe and 5.5-inch on the Z Force – they are both using the AMOLED technology, but they differ in resolution. Both devices use the newest Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor and Adreno 530 GPU for graphics. They both have a 64GB variant and both are expandable via a microSD card. The camera areas match up very nicely and produce excellent photos and selfies. They both employ a fingerprint sensor and a non-removable battery with fast charge capabilities. They have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.2 in the Deluxe and v4.1 in the Z Force), GPS, NFC, and both offer the newer Type-C reversible port for charging and data transfer.

Please take a thoughtful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.

Today we are looking at the new ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe – it has the best processor and specifications of the new offerings. It comes with 6GB of DDR4 RAM and 64GB or 256GB (coming later) of faster USF 2.0 memory. The new ZenFone 3 Deluxe is built entirely from metal and ASUS was clever enough to build the antenna into the frame, so there are no lines on the back. ASUS improved about everything from their ZenFone 2 – different outside material, the brand of processor, more RAM, new and faster UFS 2.0 memory, better camera. For a real flagship smartphone, the only thing I can fault ASUS with is the absence of the QHD display.

The ZenFone 3 Deluxe sports a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED FHD ‘always on’ display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and 386 pixels-per-inch (PPI) – not the QHD display of the Z Force. ASUS grabbed up the new 64-bit Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with a dual-core clocked at 1.6GHz and a dual-core clocked at 2.15GHz, coupled with an Adreno 530 GPU that will handle the most demanding graphics. ASUS promises two versions – a 6GB DDR4 RAM with 64GB of memory or a 6GB DDR4 model with 256GB of memory that we will arrive at a later date – although, with memory expansion available, it seems unnecessary. ASUS is also using the new and faster UFS 2.0 memory, first introduced by Samsung in the Galaxy S6 series.

ASUS grabbed a Sony sensor and used a 23MP ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 camera that comes with a sapphire crystal lens cover to prevent scratches, an aperture of f/2.0, dual LED flash, and even a 4-axis OIS for greater stability. The FFC is an impressive 8MP sensor with an 85-degree wide-angle lens for excellent selfies or video chatting. A 3000mAh non-removable battery powers the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, and it utilizes Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology that will give you up to a 60-percent charge in only 40 minutes. It has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device as well as authorizing mobile payments.

The ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe has an extra 2GB of RAM over the Moto Z Force. It comes with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and has ASUS' own ZenUI 3.0 running over the top. It measures in at 156.4 x 77.4 x 7.5mm and weighs in at 170 grams. It comes in three colors – Titanium Gray, Glacier Silver, and Sand Gold. The pricing comes in about $500 for the 6GB/64GB model – no pricing yet on the 6GB/256GB variant, it will certainly cost a lot more.

Lenovo Moto Z Force

The Moto Z and Moto Z Force can put to rest any worries we may have experienced with Lenovo’s takeover of Motorola. In fact, most seem surprised at the power, features, and high price of the Z Force. When it comes to differences between the Moto Z Force and Moto Z – the Z Force offers a larger battery, the ShatterShield display, and better camera than the Moto Z. They also introduced us to a new vocabulary term – Moto Mod. Unlike the LG G5 Mods that go up inside the device, Moto Mods simply snap on the back of the phone via magnets – which means there are small contact points showing when no mods are in use. This design also allows the user to add backings of different materials to give it a great look.

The Moto Z Force sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a generous 535 PPI. Lenovo retained ShatterShield – a popular feature that has proven that it does work. Lenovo picked the same processor used in the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, the Snapdragon 820 quad-core with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15GHz and the Adreno 530 GPU to handle extreme graphics. It packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and offers up to 64GB of internal memory that is expandable with a microSD card.

Lenovo apparently takes the camera very seriously – something Motorola found hard to do. The Moto Z-Force uses a 21MP sensor with a large aperture of f/1.8. The Moto Z Force uses laser and phase detection autofocus (PDAF), a dual-tone flash, and OIS. The Moto Z Force uses a 5MP FFC with a f/2.2 aperture, LED flash for selfies and video chatting. The Moto Z Force uses a 3500mAh non-removable battery that has one of the fastest chargers we have ever seen – 5v/5.7a TurboPower 30 charger that can charge the Moto Z Force battery 50-percent in only 20 minutes. If you want more battery power – one of the ‘Mods’ increases the battery by 2200mAh and adds wireless charging capabilities as well.

There are three things you should know about the Moto Z Force – one is the Moto Mods, the second is the lack of a 3.5mm earphone jack, and lastly, it is a Verizon exclusive. What is nice about the Moto Mods is that they don't expose the inside of the device, as they do on the LG G5, since they merely snap onto the back with magnets. The Moto Z Force does not include the standard 3.5mm headphone jack but handles headphones via an adapter that plugs into the Type-C reversible port to accept earphones. It measures in at 155.9 x 75.8 x 7mm and weighs in at 163 grams. It looks like pricing will be around a hefty $720 exclusively on Verizon.

...And The Winner Is...

The Final Word

This was a very tough decision, but I am picking the Moto Z Force as the winner of this comparison. It has a QHD display, ShatterShield screen, and the Moto Mods, which are an excellent way to satisfy the need for options. Its only drawback is the $720 price tag, which made me almost pick the ZenFone 3 Deluxe as the winner.

The ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe is also a capable device and worthy of being the winner - if you are okay with an FHD display and don't think you will use Moto Mods and want to save some money, then go for it. You will get an extra 2GB of DDR4 RAM in the process as well.

I just see a couple of things on the Moto Z Force that I would use, as well as wanting a QHD display. You will have to pick which device is right for you. Either way, you will come out a winner.

Cory has written for Androidheadlines since 2013 and is a Senior Writer for the site. Cory has a background in Accounting and Finance and worked for the FBI in the past. From there he pursued his Masters in English Literature. Cory loves Android and Google related technology and specializes in Smartphone Comparisons on our site. Contact him at [email protected]